For the past decade, Scenic Lodge has stood many top-rated sires like Blackfriars and Universal Ruler among others but they have also stood Western Australia’s champion stallion – Scenic, whom the stud was eventually named after. Scenic became the greatest stallion to ever stand in the West and turn the stud which was then called Durham Lodge, into one of the most powerful breeding operations in Western Australia.
Jeremy Smith joined Durham LodgeThoroughbred Stud as General Manager in 1997. The Impact speaks to Smith about his 2019 draft for the Magic Million’sPerth Yearling Sale and much more:
Q: You are bringing a very large number of yearlings to the sale. What would you say are the highlight lots of your 2019draft?
A: We are delighted with our draft we will offer. It’s a really good solid draft throughout but highlights include Lot 122a half brother to the recent Magic Millions winner in Samizdat, Lot 120 a full-brother to Come Play With Me and Lot 139 a cracking colt by Universal Ruler.
Q: As a breeder, how do you feel technology has influenced your business?
A: Without a doubt, technology is playing a massive role in our business. The use of social media has gone to another level without promotion.
Q: What are the skills that might give you a bit of an edge or help you look at bloodlines with a more analytical eye? What is your personal strategy when you look to set up a mating? Do you have certain races in mind like the Melbourne Cup or The Everest? Or is it more a challenge of trying to create athleticism overall?
A: It’s always a balance between breeding a commercial prospect and also using your theories. We have always been fortunate to stand a few commercial stallions which have allowed us to do both. Definitely, there are some clicks that are successful which we like to use but our main aim is to breed a consistent sound athletic thoroughbred that can be city class we obviously always hope the occasional one may reach Gr 1 level but breeding consistent winners are what we’re all about.
Q: If you were trying to create a highlight reel for your farm, which star yearlings would you include?
A: Some of the best of the farm include Scenic Blast Gr1 winner at Royal Ascot, also other Gr 1 winner we have bred include - Playing God (a promising young sire), Black Heart Bart, Gilded Venom, Coniston Bluebird and Great Shot.
Q: In terms of sire power, do you lean toward what is more commercially popular? Or do you run more strictly along the lines of how you think the pedigrees will best complement each other? Or is it a more of a balance?
Published in The Impact 14 Issue, 14 Vol
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A: We have been very fortunate to stand the champion stallion in WA for the last 17 years in Scenic and Blackfriars both matched up so well with most mares we bred.
Q: Which key sires played a big role in your the previous breeding season at your farm and whom do you plan to highlight in your draft? And why?
A: Snippetson and Universal Ruler are the 2leading active stallions in WA and we are fortunate to stand them both. We think they are the future in WA and have supported them both heavily last season.
Published in The Impact 5 Issue, 2 Vol
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